Zidane wanted Man Utd trio De Gea, Martial & Pogba at Real Madrid.

Zinedine Zidane tried to bring a trio of Manchester United stars to Real Madrid during his final season at the club.

The French World Cup winner has been heavily linked with the managerial position at Old Trafford following Jose Mourinho’s difficult start to the season.

And it appears the 46-year-old already likes what he sees at the Premier League club. According to the Manchester Evening News, Zidane and Real registered an interest in David De Gea, Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba during his final season in charge at the Bernabeu.

Informal meetings took place during the 2017-18 season, during which the Champions League winners asked to be kept in the loop on the ongoing situations of the three players. Zidane’s liking for Pogba may even be a key factor in restoring harmony to the dressing room at United, should he eventually replace the Portuguese. The midfielder is embroiled in a blazing row with Mourinho, that recently saw the £89million man stripped of his role as second captain.

Problems have arisen too with Martial, who was dropped following the defeat by West Ham at the London Stadium. Mourinho was quick to point out the defensive flaws of the winger after the defeat and he was back on the bench for the 0-0 draw with Valencia in the Champions League.

Martial had looked set to leave the club in the summer, but the appointment of a fellow Frenchman, who appears keen on his qualities, could change his future yet.